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HENRY THE NAVIGATOR (1394-1460) Henry was a prince of Portugal, third son of John I. He won fame in a series of campaigns against the Moors in Morocco; however he is famous for his support for, and patronage of, the seamen who made the many voyages of discovery down the west coast of Africa in attempts to find a sea route to India.
HENRY THE NAVIGATOR (1394-1460) Henry was a prince of Portugal, third son of John I. He won acclaim in a series of campaigns against the Moors in Morocco; however he is famous for his support for, and patronage of, the seamen who made the many voyages of discovery down the west coast of Africa in attempts to find a sea route to India.
His inspiration led to the rediscovery (and subsequent colonization) of Madeira (1420) and the Azores (1427). By 1444 one of his captains had rounded Cape Blanco and explored the beginnings of sub-Saharan Africa. Slaves and gold were brought back to Portugal, and suddenly the voyages became profitable. Captains were now less afraid to leave the coast so avoiding shoals and reefs and unfavourable currents that sweep up the coast of Africa. In 1456 the Cape Verde Islands, 600kms off the coast of Africa, were discovered. By the time of his death, in spite of his ban on the kidnapping of Negroes for the slave trade, the business was booming, and his captains were starting to push down past what is now Sierra Leone.
His inspiration led to the rediscovery (and subsequent colonization) of Madeira (1420) and the Azores (1427). By 1444 one of his captains had rounded Cape Blanco and explored the beginnings of sub-Saharan Africa. Slaves and gold were brought back to Portugal, and suddenly the voyages became profitable. Captains were now less afraid to leave the coast so avoiding shoals and reefs and unfavourable currents that sweep up the coast of Africa. In 1456 the Cape Verde Islands, 600kms off the coast of Africa, were discovered. By the time of his death, in spite of his ban on the kidnapping of Negroes for the slave trade, the business was booming, and his captains were starting to push down past what is now Sierra Leone.